NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Methylation microarrays could provide a simpler and easier way to screen for fragile X syndrome, at least as a first-line option in male patients suspected of having the disorder, according to a new study by researchers from the London Health Sciences Center in Ontario.

Because of the breadth of array-based analysis, this new approach could also offer clinicians the ability to simultaneously screen for multiple different disorders that have overlapping symptoms with fragile X by distinguishing unique methylation signatures associated with each.